Alabama
Alabama football can’t even hold a real spring game due to injuries: What kind of team can it field in 2025?
Kalen DeBoer knows what A-Day means to the Alabama football fanbase. It’s why the Crimson Tide isn’t following in the footsteps of Texas, Nebraska and USC and outright canceling its spring game.
So Alabama football will host fans for a spring football event Saturday afternoon. A game? More like a practice, one that lets DeBoer “show off (his) guys and let (his) guys do their thing.”
But should that be cause for panic for the 2025 season?
To DeBoer, it’s not about the overarching storyline of college football teams using spring games as a transfer portal showcase – even with the Crimson Tide’s A-Day festivities not being televised Saturday.
To DeBoer, he said it’s about control. It’s about having the ability to stop things when he wants to, tinker when he wants to tinker and ensure quality reps over everything else.
But when talking about A-Day in late March and what “the game” itself would look like, control was not first on DeBoer’s mind.
“It’s just that we’re very careful,” DeBoer said.
And as Alabama’s spring practice schedule rolled along, it was clear why “careful” was the first thing on DeBoer’s mind.
Alabama football injury list proves too much for ‘spring game’
Alabama has been ravaged by injuries this spring.
On offense, it starts with tight end. Josh Cuevas, Danny Lewis and Marshall Pritchett have each had their spring shortened with injuries. And with reinforcements not arriving until the summer in freshman Kaleb Edwards, the Crimson Tide is down to five tight ends, only one of whom is a scholarship option: Jay Lindsey.
On the offensive line, Alabama has been without starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor, leading to a mishmash of players: from freshman guard Michael Carroll and freshman tackle Jackson Lloyd, to guard-turned-tackle Olaus Alinen and Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom, filling in the gaps.
Add a “couple of nicks” to wide receiver Ryan Williams that will likely keep him out Saturday, and you have an offense that is projected to look much different on A-Day than it is expected to look this fall.
On defense, it’s the same story.
Projected starters Deontae Lawson, Domani Jackson, Keon Sabb, Justin Jefferson and James Smith are all either out or limited this spring, as are punter Alex Asparuhov and long snapper David Bird.
At some positions, the Crimson Tide has answers. Alabama has depth in the defensive backfield in players like Zavier Mincey, Dijon Lee, Ivan Taylor and Cameron Calhoun. But that is not the same across the board.
While Alabama is overflowing with options at wolf linebacker, the middle linebacker spots are sparse without Lawson and Jefferson. Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green and returners Cayden Jones and QB Reese are the only scholarship players that separate the Crimson Tide from true freshmen Luke Metz, Duke Johnson and Abduall Sanders Jr.
The same can be said on the interior of the defensive line. But as spring has continued, praise for players like Edric Hill and Kelby Collins, who is cross-training at both bandit and inside, has lessened the blow of Smith being limited.
Does Alabama have a depth problem?
Alabama can breath a sigh of relief.
Most of its spring injuries come at spots with proven starters or enough experience to project players as significant contributors come fall: left tackle, tight end, defensive tackle, Mike and Will linebacker, safety and cornerback. And because of spring, the Crimson Tide seems to be building much more depth than it would have had if it had a healthy roster.
But the question remains.
While Alabama is focused on position battles at left guard, at quarterback and husky, could the main question out of spring be if the Crimson Tide has enough depth to contend?
In the world of the transfer portal, it’s a question many programs across the country face. And at Alabama, it’s rearing its head especially on the offensive line and at both Will and Mike linebacker.
As the roster stands, Alabama doesn’t seem to have much room for error, something that seems clear to DeBoer as he prepares for a “very careful” A-Day.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – 7-seeded Alabama continues NCAA regional action in the Tuscaloosa Regional on Saturday against USC Upstate. The Crimson Tide is coming off a monstrous offensive effort on Friday that saw the team score the most runs in program NCAA Tournament history with 21. The Spartans scored in each of the first four innings to upset Oklahoma State and advance to Saturday’s winner’s bracket game.
Alabama Baseball Regional Tournament Central: Schedule, How to Watch, Bracket Breakdown
Live Updates (Refresh Your Browser For Latest Updates at the Top)
Pregame
- Tonight’s start time has been delayed as we’ve entered a weather delay.
- Alabama vs. USC Upstate will have a first pitch time of 6:23 p.m. CT. The grounds crew is currently tending the field in between matchups.
- 5:13 p.m. CT – Oklahoma State beat Alabama State 8-7 in 11 innings to eliminate the Hornets from the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Cowboys move into tomorrow’s elimination game against the loser of Alabama and USC Upstate on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
USC Upstate
Alabama
How to Watch: 7-Seed Alabama vs. USC Upstate in the Tuscaloosa Regional
Who: 7-seed Alabama (38-19, 18-12 SEC) vs. USC Upstate (34-28, 13-11 Big South Conference)
What: NCAA Regional Game 4
When: Saturday, May 30, 6 p.m. CT
Where: Sewell-Thomas Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: ESPN +
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. LISTEN LIVE
Series: Alabama and USC Upstate have never played in baseball.
Last Meeting: The Crimson Tide and Spartans have never played in baseball.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide used 15 hits, and took advantage of eight walks, four errors, and four wild pitches to beat Alabama State 21-3 in their first NCAA Regional matchup of the weekend. Alabama had four different players hit home runs as the Crimson Tide cruised to an easy win.
Last time out, USC Upstate: The Spartans upset Oklahoma State 8-5 in their first game of the NCAA Regional. USC Upstate struck out 10 batters and scored in each of the first four innings to upset the Cowboys.
Tuscaloosa Regional Information
- Alabama, (37-19)
- Oklahoma State, (37-20)
- USC Upstate, (31-27)
- Alabama State, (31-21)
Friday
- Game 1 – #2 Oklahoma St. (37-20) vs. #3 USC Upstate (33-28), 1 p.m. CT, ESPN+
- Game 2 – #1 Alabama (37-19) vs. #4 Alabama St. (34-21), 6 p.m. CT, SEC Network
Saturday
- Game 3 – Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State – 1 p.m. CT
- Game 4 – USC Upstate vs. Alabama – 6 p.m. CT
Sunday
- Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 – 2 p.m. CT
- Game 6 – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 – 7 p.m. CT
Monday
Game 7 – IF Necessary – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 – TBD
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The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Alabama State Hornets meet in the first game of Saturday’s action at the Tuscaloosa Regional on Saturday.
The Cowboys (37-21) and the Hornets lost their first games of the tournament on Friday. The loser of this game will be eliminated. The winner of this game will advance to another elimination game on Sunday between the loser of the USC Upstate-Alabama game, which follows OSU-ASU
Oklahoma State fans can keep up with the game here, including lineups and inning by inning details on the game. Check out Oklahoma State On SI’s NCAA Tournament Central for everything related to the Tuscaloosa Regional.
Game Details
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State
Time: 1 p.m. central
TV: ESPN+ (Derek Jones & Jared Mitchell on the call). NOTE: TV is subject to change without notice.
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network & The Varsity Network App/93.7 KSPI-FM or okla.state/GetVarsity (Rex Holt on the call)
OSU Batting Order
The batting order for Saturday’s game will be posted here when it is released by the team.
Xxx
Tuscaloosa Regional
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala. Venue: Sewell-Thomas Stadium (5,867).
Friday’s Results
Game 1: USC Upstate 8, Oklahoma State 5
Game 2: Alabama 21, Alabama State 3
Saturday’s Games
Game 3: Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State, TBA (elimination game)
Game 4: USC Upstate vs. Alabama, TBA (advances to Sunday’s final)
Sunday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (elimination game)
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Monday’s Game
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)
(Times subject to change for TV purposes)
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – For those incarcerated in Alabama, there is a path to employment through the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Re-Entry Program.
The Bureau looks at where someone may live after serving their sentence and starts connecting them with potential employers, while also conducting drug screenings to help ensure employers and communities are getting a safe employee.
“We make sure as they’re moving through our re-entry programs that they’re re-assessed for mental health stability for substance abuse challenges,” said Rebecca Bensema, Assistant Director of Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
Bensema said the agency sits down with inmates to gauge their interests and review their work history to help match them with opportunities.
Bureau Director Cam Ward explained that there are areas where an individual would be unable to work because of their conviction.
“For example, if I committed check fraud, I’m not going to be able to get a job at the bank. Sex offense… you’re not going to be eligible to work anywhere near kids or sensitive facilities,” Ward said.
Ward said offering job possibilities to people leaving incarceration is key to reducing recidivism and repeat offenses.
“Give the employer all the information and if they want to hire somebody based on their criminal history, let the employer decide, don’t let the government be the one who dictates it,” he said.
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles says it currently has positions open that people with a criminal background can apply for.
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